Education, health sectors top of the agenda of government: Qaim

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that education and health sectors have been given priority in the development of the province, while under the manifesto of Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP), employment issue has been addressed in the befitting manners.
He observed this while briefing the participants of 91st batch of National Management Course at Chief Minister House here, said a statement issued here Saturday. Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that more than 40,000 un-employed youth have been provided employment jobs in various government departments, out of which 18,000 have been inducted as teachers on merit under transparent manners.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah added that under Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Youth Development Programme, 41,000 youth have been provided skilled training in various trades to raise their demand in the market. Syed Qaim Ali Shah added that the government has emphasised to encourage projects aimed at tackling poverty alleviation.
He said that the slogan of "ROTI, KAPRA AUR MAKAN" has been made charter of party programme and planning has been evolved which was conceived and finalised by Benazir Bhutto. He informed that as per strategy, women and girls are being attracted and inducted in the development process, which is major portion of the population, who have been totally neglected particularly in rural areas.
He added that girl students are being encouraged in educational institutions and are being given stipend up to Rs 2400 to Rs 3400 per year for primary pass girls who will continue studies up to matric. There are 3,30,000 girls for this facility. Chief Minister Sindh said that as per need of World Bank, emphasis has been made towards promotion of Primary education while efforts are being made for quality education for which teachers are being recruited on only merit basis.
He informed that last year 58 per cent budget was enhanced for education sector and 180 per cent budgetary allocation was enhanced for the health sector. He said that after the improvement of facilities for 840 Basic Health Units (BHUs) and launching Hepatitis programme in the province, this year efforts are being to improve health services and facilities at Rural Health Centres (RHCs) and District Headquarter Hospitals.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that Rs 2.5 billion have been provided for Hepatitis programme while health insurance scheme is being launched for the assistance of poorest of the poor.
Replying to a question, Chief Minister Sindh maintained that the project of KalaBagh Dam has amicably been decided by all stakeholders, including Federal Government and Punjab not to construct the KalaBagh Dam, which is not feasible and in the larger interest of the country.
He said that even at present, due to less flow of water after Kotri Barrage, sea has eroded more than two million fertile lands of Thatta and Badin districts. He said that Abbasi commission formed by former President Musharraf, in its report has said that there is no need of KalaBagh Dam.
He said that people of lower Sindh (Laar) even have no drinking water, as such the construction of KalaBagh dam will be harmful to the economy and future of the country. The CM Sindh further said that as per report of Statistics Division, Sindh generates 67 per cent of revenue of the country and Sindh Government is firmly pleading its case with the federal government for prompt, judicious and correct NFC Award for the province.
He added that the agriculture was the backbone of the economy of country and government has made emphasis to give incentives to growers and farmers to get maximum production and yield of the various commodities. Earlier, Chief Secretary Sindh Fazal-ur-Rehman in his briefing had highlighted various spheres of the development issues and projects.
He said that 43,000 acres of land has been distributed among 6000 poor lady peasants and 25 acres of land has been supplied to them with the incentives for land levelling, seed, fertiliser while Rs 2 billion are being spent on construction of houses for homeless people. Chief Secretary Sindh said tourists sports are being developed which include development of Gorakh Hill Station for which Master Plan has been approved.
He added that Sindh Education Reform Programme has been launched while Keenjhar lake is being developed and renovated. The Chief Secretary informed that besides establishment of agro-based industries, Thar Coal & Energy Project, Hyderabad - Mirpurkhas road under Public-private partnership while school of Arts is being opened in Sukkur.
The leader of 21-member delegation of National Management Course Lieutenant General Javed Hasan (Retd) thanked the Chief Minister Sindh for warm welcome and briefing. He presented also shield while the CM Sindh also gave away Chief Minister's crest to him. Provincial Secretaries of Home, Health, Education, and others were also present in the briefing.